Antonio Rudiger says £150k-a-week Man City player is actually his best mate in football

Redaction Simon Brett with James Thompson
Published on 2024-04-10 20:00:00

Antonio Rudiger, the Real Madrid centre-back, revealed that his best friend in football is Manchester City midfielder Mateo Kovacic. The two players formed a close bond during their time together at Chelsea before Kovacic made the switch to City in the previous summer transfer window. Despite now playing for different clubs in different countries, Rudiger still considers Kovacic his closest friend in the football world.

Rudiger and Kovacic played alongside each other at Chelsea, featuring in 118 games together across all competitions from the 2018/19 to 2021/22 seasons. The German defender joined Real Madrid as a free agent in 2022, while Kovacic moved to City in a £30m deal. The upcoming Champions League clash between City and Real will see the two friends potentially face off on the field once again, challenging their friendship for the duration of the match.

The bond between Rudiger and Kovacic highlights the strong relationships that can develop between players in the football world, transcending club allegiances and geographical boundaries. Despite the competitive nature of the sport, friendships like theirs offer a glimpse into the personal connections that can be forged through a shared love of the game. As they prepare to go head-to-head in a crucial Champions League tie, their off-field friendship adds an extra layer of intrigue to the matchup.

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